The present invention relates to a toilet cleaning device, a cleaning device holder, and to a method of cleaning a toilet bowl using such a toilet cleaning device.

Widely available toilet cleaning equipment is generally limited to the toilet brush, a hand-held device having a plurality of flexible bristles at a distal end. The toilet brush can be used to clean a toilet by reciprocally thrusting the brush against the inner surface of the toilet bowl, thus abrasively removing deposits, detritus and organic particulate matter.

Toilet brushes are typically kept adjacent to the toilet, so that users can clean the bowl should there be particularly heavy soiling. As a result, a toilet brush may have been used an indeterminate number of times between being cleaned. The bristles of the brush are also difficult to clean, there being a large surface area for deposits to adhere to and often becoming matted or intertwined. In combination, these factors quickly result in a build-up of dirt and bacteria on the surface of the toilet brush, which is unhygienic.

Additionally, the bristles of the toilet brush generally protrude radially from a central shaft, and therefore, to remove deposits on the toilet bowl, a vigorous scrubbing action must be performed, wasting time and energy. The bristles are also sub- optimally aligned to clean under the rim of the toilet bowl, further allowing a build-up of dirt and bacteria in this area of the bowl.

It is an object of the invention to provide a solution to the above-mentioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toilet cleaning device for cleaning a toilet bowl, the toilet cleaning device comprising: a handle, a head at a distal end of the handle, and a plurality of radially outwardly projecting helical blades which extend from a handle end of the head to a free distal end, so that, as the head is rotated about an axial extent of the handle, the helical blades provide a circumferential and axial scraping action.

The advantage of such a design of toilet cleaning device is that the blades confer a scraping action whilst cleaning, rather than merely agitating detritus on the toilet bowl, as occurs with a bristled toilet brush. The full longitudinal extent of the helical blades can contact with the inner surface of the toilet bowl, thus ensuring that the full surface of the bowl can be efficiently scraped clean, and that no or fewer areas are missed. Additionally, continuous longitudinally extending blades cannot become matted or intertwined like bristles. Therefore, the usability and efficacy of the device has improved longevity.

The helicity of the blades also means that by rotation of the device during cleaning, a scraping action is effected circumferentially, in other words around the toilet bowl, and axially, in other words up and down, simultaneously. This ensures efficient cleaning, the scraping action of the blades acting in two directions at once to remove stubborn deposits.

As a further advantage, the blades present a smooth surface for facile sanitisation. Bristles on a standard toilet brush are difficult to clean to an acceptable standard, there being a large surface area to which deposits can adhere. Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 23, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toilet cleaning device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention in combination with a cleaning device holder having a head receptacle for receiving the head of the toilet cleaning device and being defined by holder body.

It is advantageous to provide a specially designed holder for the cleaning device. The holder keeps the cleaning device upright, allowing the user to access the handle easily when cleaning of the toilet bowl is required.

Furthermore, specific holders can be envisaged which facilitate air flow across the blades of the device, thus inhibiting the build-up of unsanitary liquids within the holder, which is a common problem with bristled toilet brush holders. Since the bristled devices have a large surface area, there is a higher risk of transferring unhygienic toilet water from the bowl to the holder with a bristled device than with a bladed device. Preferable and/or optional features of the second aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 23 to 26, inclusive.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of cleaning a toilet bowl using a toilet cleaning device according to the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the step of utilising a plurality of radially outwardly projecting helical blades to provide simultaneous scraping and/or agitation in both a circumferential direction and an axial direction when only rotating the head of the cleaning device.

As previously mentioned, it is advantageous to use the cleaning device to clean a toilet bowl, using a rotational motion to scrape stubborn deposits from bowl applies simultaneous circumferential and axial forces to the deposit, making cleaning more efficient. Such a method can be considered to have an action analogous with that of a corkscrew.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a toilet cleaning device, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is another perspective view from a handle end of the toilet cleaning device, showing a head body disengaged from a head spigot; Figure 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view through a distal portion of a handle of the toilet cleaning device and a head;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a toilet cleaning device, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 5 shows a side view of the second embodiment of a toilet cleaning device, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, shown with a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a rim of a toilet bowl;

Figure 6 shows the toilet cleaning device received in a cleaning device holder, from a first direction and in accordance with the second aspect of the invention; and Figure 7 shows the combination of the toilet cleaning device and holder from a second direction.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, a first embodiment of a toilet cleaning device 10 comprises a handle 12, a head 14, and a plurality of helical blades 16 for scraping and/or agitating an interior surface 18 of a toilet bowl 20 (see Figure 5, by way of example).

The handle 12 comprises a shaft 22, in this case being substantially rigid, elongate and slightly arcuate to provide a greater ergonomic fit for a user, and a grip 24 preferably at or adjacent to a free proximal end 26 of the shaft 22 for a user to comfortably grasp. The shaft 22 and grip 24 are preferably overmoulded with an elastomer or other resilient, comfortable and easily cleanable material.

Although the handle 12 is preferably elongate, it is feasible that a shorter version could be provided, allowing more direct pressure to be imparted perpendicularly to the interior surface 18 of the toilet bowl 20. For example, the shaft 22 may be cranked in addition or alternatively to being arcuate.

The head 14 is provided at a distal end 28 of the shaft 22, remote from the grip 24. The head 14 includes a head body 30, a head spigot 32 and a, preferably rigid, head flange 34. The head flange 34 is provided at the distal end 28 of the shaft 22, with the head spigot 32 projecting distally from the head flange 34. The spigot 32 is preferably formed as a hollow cylinder, in this case being of rigid moulded plastics.

The head body 30 includes an internal recess 36 which is sized so as to complementarily and releasably accept and engage with the head spigot 32. In this case, since the head spigot 32 is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical in profile, the recess 36 has the form of an equivalently sized and shaped cylinder to tightly fit over the head spigot 32.

When the head spigot 32 and head body 30 are interengaged, a perimeter edge portion of a flat or substantially planar proximal end 38 of the head body 30 abuts or substantially abuts a perimeter edge portion of a distal surface 40 of the head flange 34. See Figure 3. A radial extent of the head body 30 is preferably sized so as to match a radial extent of the head flange 34. As such, when the head body 30 is engaged with the head spigot 32, there are no discontinuities in the profile of the head 14; the radial extents of the head flange 34 and head body 30 are preferably flush with one another.

The outer surface 42 of the head body 30 includes a plurality of radially outwardly projecting helical blades 16. The blades 16 extend longitudinally from a handle end 44 of the head 14 to or substantially to a free distal end 46. Each helical blade 16 has a smoothly arcuate longitudinal extent being devoid of laterally extending corners, with each helical blade 16 having a resiliently flexible lateral extent. To this end, the head body 30, and therefore the helical blades 16, are preferably formed from an elastomeric or otherwise resiliently flexible material.

Each helical blade 16 tapers towards the free distal end 46 of the head 14, having a substantially uniform lateral extent along at least a majority of its longitudinal extent. It follows, therefore, that there is defined a radially outer edge 48 of each helical blade 16 which acts as a scraping surface of the head 14 during cleaning. Preferably, the radially outer edge 48 is chamfered to make a sharper scraping surface.

It will be appreciated, however, that each helical blade 16 could have a substantially tapered lateral extent, so as to provide a more blade-like scraping surface. This may facilitate lifting of stubborn deposits with the blade 16, providing suitable blade rigidity is not sacrificed. Each helical blade 16 has a longitudinal extent, in other words a length; a radial extent which is a depth from an outer blade edge to the axial extent of the device 10; and a lateral extent equating to a thickness of the blade 16. The lateral extent of each blade 16 may increase in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end. The increase in thickness or tapering may be uniform along the entire or part of the longitudinal extent, for example, beginning at halfway or partway along the length. Preferably, the distal end of the blade 16 has the greatest thickness to promote increased rigidity whilst maintaining preferably some flexibility.

At the free distal end 46 of the head 14, there is provided an indentation 50 for promoting a bow wave during axial movement of the cleaning device 10 in a handle- to-head direction. The helical blades 16 terminate at the indentation 50, so as not to impede the axial motion. In order to promote the formation of said bow wave during axial motion, the indentation 50 may be substantially concaved or dished.

The termination of the helical blades 16 at the indentation 50 may result in the formation of a secondary axially facing scraping edge 52 at a perimeter of the free distal end 46. The secondary scraping edge 52 may present a sharper and more rigid scraping surface than the radial edges 48 of the helical blades 16.

Optionally, a distal end of the blades 16 may terminate in a point or edge, effectively formed by an inner chamfer extending along part of the longitudinal edge of the blade and forming part of the indentation, and an outer chamfer also extending along part of the longitudinal extent and forming the said scraping edge. To complement the chamfers and to improve scraping, the lateral extent of the blade may also be chamfered at at least the distal end portion of the blade at which the two chamfers are provided.

By providing blades forming part of the indentation, which may be a concave recess, a wall of the indentation includes apertures extending from its rim, thereby allowing entrapment of water at an uninterrupted or smoothly uniform part-spherical surface of a polar region of the indentation, whilst allowing fluid ingress to and egress from the indentation between the distal ends of the blades. This is beneficial in promoting removal or particulate matter from between the blades whilst also maintaining bow- wave formation during a cleansing process.

At the handle end 44 of the head 14, there is preferably provided at least one upstanding axially-protruding circumferentially-directed vane 54, extending towards the handle 12. There are typically provided a plurality of vanes 54 equiangularly spaced apart around the handle end 44 of the head 14. These vanes 54 are sized to fit underneath the rim 56 of a standard toilet bowl 20 (see Figure 5), and can be used to scrape and agitate detritus and dirt under the rim 56.

There may conveniently be provided a plurality of complementary apertures 58 in the head flange 34, with which the plurality of vanes 54 may positively engage. This engagement advantageously prevents the head body 30 from rotating about the head spigot 32 during use and assists in retaining engagement of the head body 30. With reference to Figure 4, there is shown a second embodiment of the cleaning device 110, wherein the vanes 154 protruding axially and radially from the head body 130 of the head 114 can be further used as scraping cleaning surfaces in addition to the helical blades 16. Like references refer to parts which are similar or identical to those of the first embodiment, and therefore further detailed description is omitted.

The main scraping edge 160 of a vane body 162 of the vane 154 is the outermost upstanding radial edge, and in this embodiment said scraping edge 160 is chamfered so as to assist with a rotational scraping cleaning action. A secondary chamfered scraping edge 163 may also be provided on the inner radial edge of the vane 154. The or each vane 154 tapers towards a free distal end 164, so as to be sized to fit under the rim 56 of the toilet bowl 20, see Figure 5. The free distal-most edge 164 of the or each vane 154 is also preferably chamfered to provide an additional uppermost scraping edge 166.

As the vanes 154 are designed to clean under the rim 56 of a toilet bowl, they may be typically formed from a more rigid material than the helical blades 16. As such, the helical blades 16 preferably have greater flexibility than the or each vane 154.

The radial extent of the vanes 154 is limited by the radial extent of the head flange 134 which extends past the shaft 22 of the handle 12. The head flange 134 is therefore sized such that the vanes 154 are able to scrape the entirety of the rim 56 of the toilet bowl 20.

Whilst in these embodiments the vanes are provided as separate features, allowing control of rigidity and flexibility, it is also possible that each vane could be provided integrally with each helical blade, such that each blade terminates in a vane. This enables potentially simplified manufacture whilst still performing the desired functions. By way of example, coextruding the blade and vane potentially from different materials enables the vane to be firmer or more rigid than the blade.

In this embodiment, the apertures in the head flange may be radially extending slots which extend from the perimeter edge. In the depicted embodiments of the present invention, the helical blades 16 and the vanes 54, 154 are integrally provided on the head body 30, 130 of the head 14, 114. However, it will be appreciated that the vanes 54, 154 could in fact be provided as a part of the head flange 34, 134 as opposed to the head body 30, 130. The head body 30, 130 is provided so as to be separable from the handle 12 for cleaning, disposal and replacement. The head body 30, 130 may be slidably receivable on the head spigot 32 of the head 14, 114, with the or each vane 54, 154 being receivable in a respective aperture 58 of the head flange 34, 134 at or adjacent to the distal end of the shaft 22 of the handle 12. The handle 12 in all embodiments may beneficially include a flexible portion 68 at or adjacent to the head 14, 114 enabling the head 14, 114 to flex relative to the handle 12. This advantageously allows the head body 30, 130 and specifically the helical blades 16 to adaptively and dynamically follow the contours of the toilet bowl 20 during cleaning, thus providing maximal contact between the helical blades 16 and the toilet bowl surface 18. Flexing also enables better access for the vanes 54, 154 to get underneath the rim 56 of the toilet bowl 20.

In use, the toilet cleaning device 10, 110 is grasped at the grip 24 by a user, and the head 14, 114 inserted into the toilet bowl 20. The user then rotates the device 10, 110 with the helical blades 16 contacting the inner surface 18 of the toilet bowl 20. By rotation of the device 10, 1 10, the radial edges 48 of the helical blades 16 will effect a scraping action in both circumferential and axial directions, thus removing detritus from the toilet bowl 20.

As the helical blades 16 are constructed from a resiliently flexible material, flexion with the contours of the toilet bowl 20 is enabled, thus ensuring a more even clean. The simultaneous circumferential and axial forces imparted by at least the rotational movement of the head 14, 114 due to the helical blades 16 will act to remove stubborn deposits which traditional toilet brushes tend to only remove by concerted agitation. As such, agitationless cleaning is enabled.

For particularly difficult deposits, the secondary scraping edge 52 can be used for direct scraping. As the secondary scraping edge 52 is located at the distal end 46 of the head 14, and thus at a distal end 70 of the device 10 as a whole, the user is able to apply more force directly along the axis of the handle 12 than can be achieved through rotation of the device 10.

To complement the secondary scraping edge 52, the indentation 50 on the distal end 46 of the head 14 can also be used to promote a bow wave. By reciprocally thrusting the device 10 towards the deposit, the indentation 50 will direct water in the toilet bowl 20 towards the deposit in the form of a bow wave, with the associated increase in pressure further serving to agitate and remove the deposit. By use of such a plunging action, matter remaining in the toilet bowl 20 can be encouraged to flush.

The user can also clean under the rim 56 of the toilet bowl 20 by utilising the vanes 54, 154 of the device 10, 110 to scrape and agitate detritus and particulate matter. The user inserts the device 10, 110 into the toilet bowl 20, lifting the device 10, 110 upwards such that the vanes 54, 154 are received underneath the rim, as shown in Figure 5.

The user can then rotate the device 110 to apply a circumferential scraping action to the inner surface 72 of the rim 56. The chamfered side edges 160, 163 and upper edges 166 of the vanes 154 are designed for this purpose. That the vane bodies 162 are tapered enables easier access to the rim 56.

It will be appreciated that the design of the vanes 54, 154 in the present embodiments are only examples. Other possible designs can be envisaged which achieve the same goal of cleaning under the rim 56 of the toilet bowl 20. For instance, as it is not possible to see under the rim 56, it may be desirable for the vanes 54, 154 to have a more abrasive surface, to ensure that the inner surface 72 of the rim 56 is more fully cleaned.

Once cleaning of the toilet 74 is complete, it is likely that the user will wish to sanitise at least the head 14, 114 of the device 10, 110. To do so, the user may disengage the head body 30, 130 from the head spigot 32 and then sanitise the head body 30, 130 separately of the handle 12. This may typically include washing the head body 30, 130 in an antibacterial solution, e.g. bleach, and rinsing the head body 30, 130 before reassembling the device 10, 110. The smoothly arcuate longitudinal extent of the helical blades 16 enables agitationless cleaning. Equally, the head body 30, 130 may be disposable and thus replaceable, and/or may be interchangeable with a different head body 30, 130 to achieve a different kind of cleaning action. As such, a plurality of different head bodies may be provided allowing a user to select as required. An advantageous feature of the device 10, 110 is that the head body 30, 130 is an easily sanitised component; it has a much smaller surface area than an equivalently sized bristled toilet brush, and the helical ridges 16 are generally made from a wipe- clean or water repellent material. The device 10, 110 can therefore be more easily kept clean between uses, thereby preventing the spread of disease. It is therefore advantageous to return the device 10, 110 to storage in a sanitary condition after use. To this end, there is provided a cleaning device holder 76, the cleaning device holder 76 having a head receptacle 78 for receiving the head 14, 114 of the toilet cleaning device 10, 1 10, the head receptacle 78 being defined by a holder body 80, preferably being formed of rigid moulded plastics. The holder 76 may be freely standing, or may include one or more supports 82, such as feet or outriggers, to raise or stabilise the holder body 80. In the present embodiment, the holder 76 has a plurality of radially outwardly extending feet 82. These greatly enhance the stability of the holder 76 once the cleaning device 10, 110 is inserted. Since the handle 12 of the cleaning device 10, 1 10 is curved, the centre of gravity of the combined holder 76 and device 10, 110 is both high and off-centre, therefore making the holder 76 prone to being knocked over. The feet 82 obviate this issue.

The holder body 80 may typically include two upstanding supports 84 in spaced relationship for supporting the head 14, 114 at or adjacent to a head flange 34, 134. These supports 84 prevent or inhibit the cleaning device 10, 110 from falling or toppling out of the holder 76 when stowed.

The head receptacle 78 may include at least two opposing openings 86, 88 in the holder body 80 for promoting a drying cross-flow of air over the helical blades 16 of the toilet cleaning device 10, 1 10. A first said opening 86 may be larger to provide an access for insertion and removal of the head to and from the head receptacle 78. The second said opening 88 which is preferably smaller may extend further towards the base 90 of the head receptacle 78 than the first said opening 86 to promote air flow up and along the helical blades 16 in a direction towards the handle 12. The second opening 88 is preferably defined by the two spaced apart upstanding supports 84. By promoting air flow across the helical blades 16, drying of the head body 30, 130 is encouraged, thus reducing the likelihood of formation of damp regions in which bacteria or mould could fester.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiments are only examples of the present invention, and other embodiments of the present inventive concept are possible. There could, for instance, be provided a fluid reservoir integrated into the handle which was in fluid communication with the head of the device. Cleaning fluid could be inserted into the reservoir, which could be supplied to the toilet bowl during scraping, perhaps through pores in the head body. This could be activated by any type of mechanism affixed to the handle. For instance, the fluid reservoir could be squeezable by the user, the associated pressure increase forcing the cleaning fluid through the device into the head body, and out of the pores.

There could also further be a means for releasing the head body from the head spigot, therefore removing the necessity for the user to touch the dirty head body after cleaning when sanitising the head body. Alternatively, the head body could be disposable, so rather than cleansing the head body, it could just be replaced. This would further improve the hygiene of the device.

Indeed, it is entirely possible to imagine that a plurality of different head bodies could be purchased, for different purposes. The standard head body could be kept for general cleaning of the toilet after a single use if soiled, whilst a head body with a different vane type could be kept on hand for more vigorous cleaning of the rim. As long as a common head spigot was present, replaceability of the heads can be achieved.

There are also additional and/or alternative connection means that could be considered between the head spigot and flange and the head body. For instance, there could be provided grooves on the inside of the head spigot, there being corresponding grooves on the recess of the head body which interengage with the grooves of the spigot. There are numerous means of connecting the head body to the rest of the device.

Although a head spigot is suggested, this may be dispensed with. As such, the head may be an integral unit which is releasably or permanently attached to the handle. Furthermore, the underlying concept is that the helical blades engender the bidirectional cleaning action when rotating the device. Whilst the described embodiments show perfectly helical blades, it will be appreciated that any substantially helical blade will have the same effect. This includes, but is not limited to: partially helical blades having straight edged portions; interrupted helical blades, wherein the longitudinal extent of the blade is non-continuous; or helical blades having a subsidiary scraping fin extending from the scraping edge of the blade at a tangent to the axis of rotational motion.

Therefore, there is provided a toilet cleaning device having a plurality of radially outwardly projecting helical blades which extend from a handle end of the head to a free distal end, such that, as the head is rotated about an axial extent of the handle, the helical blades provide a circumferential and axial scraping action. This scraping action leads to a more efficient clean of the toilet bowl.

The device may also include vanes which enable cleaning underneath the rim of a toilet bowl, which is typically inaccessible to standard cleaning equipment. The device allows the user to more easily and thoroughly clean their toilet, resulting in a more hygienic process.

The device is also more sanitary that current toilet brushes, in that it can be more easily cleaned, having a smaller surface area to which deposits can cling. It is also possible to remove the head body of the device, so as to separately the components of the device which come into contact with unhygienic surfaces of the toilet. The device thus achieves a greater overall level of cleanliness and hygiene than standard brushes.

The words 'comprises/comprising' and the words 'having/including' when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but does not preclude the presence of addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of this invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as herein described.